Ojo Olannipa, known as “Aburumaku”, held the unique dual role of serving as the 14th Baale (King) of Ogbomoso and the 11th Aare Ona Kakanfo (Generalissimo or Field Marshal) of Yorubaland after the death of Baale Odunaro in 1865.
Aburumaku, nicknamed for his notorious wickedness and stubbornness from a young age, was the third Aare Ona Kakanfo to hail from Ogbomoso. In fact, of the 15 Aare Ona Kakanfo titleholders to date, 7 have come from Ogbomoso, and 6 out of the 12 Aare Ona Kakanfo from the old and new Oyo Empire were from the city.
Aburumaku’s father, Toyeje Akanni, also known as “Alebiosu”, played a significant role, serving as both the 9th Baale of Ogbomoso and the 7th Aare Ona Kakanfo. He succeeded the renowned Afonja of Ilorin at a time when the peace and order of the Oyo Empire under Alaafin Abiodun had deteriorated.
While Toyeje Akanni was known for his exceptional bravery and efforts to restore order to the Oyo Empire, his son Ojo Aburumaku was described as determined and desperate, willing to use any means necessary, even questionable connections, to become the Aare Ona Kakanfo without the usual qualifications of military prowess and reputation.
The dual role of Baale and Aare Ona Kakanfo held by Ojo Aburumaku highlights the significant influence and prominence of Ogbomoso within the Yoruba political landscape, contributing a substantial number of the highest-ranking military leaders in the region’s history.
